The Briarwood Lions soundly defeated Benjamin Russell, 34-20, in Week 7 of the regular season. But as the two rivals met again Friday night in the quarterfinals of the 5A playoffs, it was obvious this was a different Wildcat team.

Briarwood took a 21-14 lead into halftime, but Benjamin Russell kept pressing in the second half, edging the Lions, 24-21, on a late-game field goal.

&8220;There was a big difference between this team and the one we played earlier this year,&8221; Briarwood head coach Fred Yancey said. &8220;Their linemen really turned it up a notch and we lost a good battle.&8221;

Yancey said he was happy with the way his defense played but that a few key miscues on offense proved costly to the lions.

&8220;Defensively, we were solid,&8221; he said. &8220;Riley Scruggs and Andy Davis both had big nights for us.&8221;

Scruggs finished with six solo tackles and five assists while Davis notched eight solo tackles and five assists.

Lions quarterback Barrett Trotter threw a costly interception with 11 seconds left in the game after Andy Davis returned the Wildcats’ kickoff 53 yards to Benjamin Russell’s 35-yard line.

&8220;We weren’t consistent on offense and that hurt us,&8221; Yancey said.

&8220;Barrett has been a great leader for us this year. He’s very good at taking care of the ball.&8221;

Nathaniel Carlson and Matt Robertson each caught touchdown passes, going for six and 30 yards, respectively, off throws from Trotter.

Bo Walters added the Lions other score on a one-yard run